Scripture: Job 20: 1-8
Then Zophar the Naamathite replied: “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I am greatly disturbed. I hear a rebuke that dishonors me, and my understanding inspires me to reply. “Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since mankind was placed on the earth, that the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment. Though the pride of the godless person reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds, he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’ Like a dream he flies away, no more to be found, banished like a vision of the night.
Scripture Commentary: The joy from doing wrong lasts but a moment but the long term effect destroys your eternity
Although Zophar was wrong to direct his tirade against Job, he was correct in talking about the final end of evil people. At first sin seems enjoyable and attractive. But “the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.”
Lying, stealing and oppressing others often brings temporary gain to the perpetrator. Some live a long time with ill-gotten gain. But in the end, God’s justice prevails.
What Zophar missed is that judgement for these sins may not come during the sinner’s lifetime. Punishment may be deferred until the last judgement when sinners will be eternally cut off from God.
Some people think that that they are Christians because they go to church, pray, and act pious. By earthly standards they are successful but they are living a sinful life.
We shouldn’t be impressed with the success and power of evil people. No one will escape God’s judgement. You can lie to yourself but not to God.
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Job 20